(REPOST FROM AUG. 17, 2011) Mind or Food?

Happy Monday!  So I found this old post from exactly 4 years ago when I partnered with Jenny Craig for a 6 week program.  Reading my thoughts during this time was very interesting and I figured I would share them again because I think many of you can relate AND because I thought it would be a way for you to see how far I've changed mentally as it relates to my struggle with weight.  I italicized one section in particular for you that stood out the most for me.  I hope this motivates you to keep going and to even document your journey (even if its just for yourself.)

 

 

 

Hi all! I recently started the Jenny Craig weight loss program through a Blogher program that I signed up for.  I started on Sunday to be exact.  Let me start this post by giving you a information about myself

 

 

(my breakfast the other morning)

On Saturday when I went to the center to get started, I weighed in at 278lbs (GASP)

I’m 5’5 and 278lbs… That would put me in the obese category, right? Right.

(in Lane Bryant trying on a size 20 dress)

Now, let me say, I’ve never been thin.  In high school I was around 165 and 170, which was perfect for me.  By the time I was 21, I was around 200lbs.   After giving birth to my first son, I weighed in at 225, but I lost those 25lbs plus 2lbs so I was 198.

(on the way to my prom wearing a size large dress from the junior department)

Moving on to present day, I have 3 children a husband, a house, and a life that I’m trying to get back in order.  My first day on the program (Sunday) proved to be a challenge.  I’ve always known that I was an emotional eater.  But Sunday showed me that it’s worse than I thought.  Every time I am frustrated, overwhelmed, upset, irritated, rushed, sad, depressed, even happy, I want to put something in my mouth (ughhh, I hope that didn’t come across nasty!).  Here’s the thing, I AM NOT HUNGRY when I want to eat the food.  What does that mean???

 

***I’m realizing that in order to get a handle on my weight, I need to first get a handle on my life.  It’s not the food for me.  I don’t eat chocolate, I don’t drink alcohol (minus the three drinks I had during blogfest, YUM!), I don’t like pastries or sweets for that matter.  I’m not gonna sit here and say that I eat the healthiest foods out there, but I don’t eat the unhealthiest food either.  Even my portions aren’t large.  On the two trips I took to NYC, I realized that I ate better and not as much.  I didn’t feel the need to snack on anything.  Why is that?  Was it because I actually had time for me?  Was it because I had a few restful nights sleep?  Was it because I had more adult conversation?  Was it because I felt more like my old self?  Or maybe it was because I was constantly on the go.  I’m thinking all of those played a factor in why I didn’t over indulge myself when it came to eating. What I’m trying to do is figure out how to make myself feel and eat like that here at home.  Maybe my life is not balanced? Do I need a schedule perhaps? hmmm…

It’s now Wednesday and I must say that I have come to terms with the food I’m eating for the program.***

 

(Dinner last night)

 

  The food itself isn't bad (I was worried about that!).  It’s hard not tasting the food that I prepare for my family, but I don’t. 

 

 

 

I’m only doing this program for about 6 weeks.  I do hope to lose some weight, but not much. I am happy that I realized how bad my emotional eating is.  Hopefully by the time these few weeks are up, I’ll have more control of that.

How many of you ever struggled with weight? How are you dealing with it?  What have you learned about yourself when it comes to why your eating habits are what they are?

 

WEIGHT LOSS WEDNESDAY…My slack week

On Friday when I weighed in I had lost another pound.  That’s good, but I was hoping for 2! I hate given excuses for not having done my best, but I do have some. 

1. I have been drinking less water.  Not less water and more sodas or juices, but less water and rarely anything else.

2. I haven’t been adding my veggies like I should be.

3. I have a lot of things going on.  Content for House of Fifty due, my husband has worked everyday for the past seven days, and trying to add vintage rentals to Swoon Worthy Boutique.  I have a lot going on and it’s all on me.

4.  And the last detail which is trying to figure out how to stay motivated given this is my last week in the Jenny Craig program…

I’m not giving up.  It feels great to know that I’ve lost 6.2 pounds in 3 weeks.  If I stay on track, I’ll be almost down 50 pounds! I guess that’s motivation enough right there, huh?!

Next week I want to talk about Weight Watchers.  I was asked why I didn’t think of using them….

Have you been in a slump lately?  How do you pull yourself out of it?  How do you stay motivated?

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

WEIGHT LOSS WEDNESDAY: I’M A WALKING FOOL!

First I want to thank everyone for your support on my weight loss journey! From your advice on types of exercise, shoe suggestions, and even an invite to a Facebook group with a great group of women…Thank You!

So, I finally found me some shoes

They are Asics Gel-Nimbus 12 and they are heaven (and they have my favorite color purple on them)!  Like OMG, the best $125 I’ve spent in a while.  But guess what?  Their cheaper online at Lady Foot Locker

So I’m back at the mall, but this time I’m outside of the mall!

I park all the way at the top of the parking lot, then I walk down the hill and begin my walk around the entire mall

I have my earphones on while I listen to Pandora.  I like to mix it up between my Toni Braxton, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce.  But I’ll be lying if I didn’t say I mix in a little Jay-Z and Kanye

If you thought I was cute at all, these images may just change your mind!

So after 35 minutes (that’s how long it takes me to walk around the entire mall), its time for me to head up the hill to my truck

By then, I’m a hot sweaty mess! But I feel soooo good afterwards!  The walk outside of the mall is so much better with all of the twists and turns and slopes and hills.  I feel like I get a better workout.  Plus, the breeze is so good.

Last week I lost 1.2lbs so now I’m down to 273!  My counselor told me that the 4lbs I lost the first week was water weight and that I’m on track when I’m losing 1-2lbs a week.  I can’t wait to see what I weigh on Friday.  I have about two more weeks on my trial Jenny Craig program and I’m wondering if I should continue with it.  My friend Kathysue told me that after 3 weeks of doing something, it becomes a habit.  She was totally right! My body don’t even crave snacks like it use to.  Plus I’m full faster and the size of the meals through Jenny Craig does not bother me at all.  I actually am full before I finish eating!

I’ll keep you posted of my progress!

PS,

Am I the only excited about Beyonce being pregnant?! Seriously, I cried a little

 

WEIGHT LOSS WEDNESDAY: Adding exercise and finding shoes

Last Wednesday I mentioned that I started the Jenny Craig program for a few weeks. I have to go in once a week for a weigh in and to talk with my program counselor about how my week went.  Well, when I went in on Friday for weigh in, I had lost a whopping 4lbs!  That’s HUGE for me!  My first meeting to get started in the program, I remember being asked how would I feel once I lost 20lbs and I said if I lost 5 I would be happy! So to hear that I lost 4 I was blown away!  And for the record, let me say that I started the program on Sunday after my first visit and weigh in on Saturday (got that?).

 

So I’m halfway through my second week today and everything is going great.  I did have a bad day on Monday.  I was in a funk for really no reason.  My day started out great.  I woke up, got the boys off to school and went up to the mall for the walk-about that takes place at the mall early in the morning before it opens. Quick story, I knew heading up to the mall that there were going to be majority older people there because I’ve done this before after my oldest son was born.  But back then I was more active so I could hang with the best of them when it came to walking.  Well on Monday, those older women (and men!), were passing me left and right! I felt soooo lame!  I’m laughing right now just thinking about it.  I tried to blame it on the shoes I was wearing because I had on my All Stars (Converse) which I do know aren’t walking shoes, but they are the only athletic shoes I owned at the time.  Anyway, lessoned learned. 

Since I am adding exercise now, I’m wondering what else I could do besides walking?  I need to work on my arms and my stomach.  I’m kind of discouraged about my stomach because I have had three cesareans and it just seems like there isn’t any hope for it! Do you have any suggestions? 

Also, what are some good shoes for walking? I have to keep up with my walking buddies

WEIGHT LOSS WEDNESDAYS?

I posed the question on twitter if anyone would be interested in me documenting my journey towards a healthier lifestyle while losing weight in the process. I did get a yes, but I wanted to ask the question here to see what you guys think…

Every week it will be something different. From things I’ve been doing as far as work outs, meals, and maybe even sharing some of your stories. I have not figured everything out with this series, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

What do you think of “Weight Loss Wednesdays”? Would any of you be interested in sharing tips or advice or even your story on your journey to a healthy life?!